The Act of Coming Out Can Be Life-Saving

There is now a large body of research that shows that when LGBTQIA+ people can be open and honest about their sexual orientation and gender identity, it leads to better mental health outcomes. For example, one study found that LGBTQIA+ youth who were out to their friends and families had less anxiety and depression, and were more likely to report higher self-esteem than those who were not out.

Another study found that LGBTQIA+ adults who were out to their families had better mental health overall, including lower levels of anxiety and depression, and higher levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction. Furthermore, being out was associated with increased mental health resilience – that is, the ability to cope with stressors and setbacks in life.

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These findings are echoed by other research on the topic. Overall, it appears that when LGBTQIA+ people can be open about their sexual orientation and gender identity, they experience better mental health outcomes. This may be because they feel more accepted and supported by their loved ones, or because they are no longer hiding a crucial part of themselves from the world.

This is why it is so important that our society creates change. We need to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to come out and live their lives openly and proudly. We need to create a world where being LGBTQIA+ is not seen as something shameful or wrong.

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